The Commonwealth Continuity of Support Program (CoS) is a specialist disability service for older people. This new program has been established to ensure that older people with disability currently receiving state funded disability services, but are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), be provided with ongoing support – they do not have to access aged care supports or services should they choose not to.
Through the Continuity of Support Program, people will be supported to achieve similar outcomes to those they were receiving through their state funded disability supports – thereby nothing should really change unless the person wants to make changes.
The Commonwealth Government has a strong and ongoing commitment to supporting people with disability, and older people. The new Continuity of Support Program will ensure that over 8,500 older people with disability will continue to receive supports that are responsive to their needs and goals, and benefit their families and carers.
To be eligible for the Continuity of Support Program, a person with disability must be over 65, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the time the NDIS commences in their region; they must be assessed as ineligible for the NDIS; and they must be an existing client of state funded disability services at the time the Continuity of Support Program commences in their region. Eligible people will not need to be reassessed and should move into the program on their current support level.
Should a person be assessed as eligible for aged care, however, do not wish to accept aged care supports, they may choose to remain in the Continuity of Care Program. People should consider their options and choose which service best meets their needs.
For people with disability over 65, who do not receive state funded supports, for assistance, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
